Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-500
77 Imaging
45 Features
36 Overall
41
![Olympus E-420 front Olympus E-420 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/w300/fronton/Olympus-E-420.jpg)
![Olympus E-500 front Olympus E-500 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/w300/fronton/Olympus-E-500.jpg)
70 Imaging
42 Features
34 Overall
38
Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-500 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 1600
- No Video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 426g - 130 x 91 x 53mm
- Released June 2008
- Previous Model is Olympus E-410
(Full Review)
- 8MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 400 (Increase to 1600)
- No Video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 479g - 130 x 95 x 66mm
- Introduced October 2005
- Also Known as EVOLT E-500
- New Model is Olympus E-510
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-500 Overview
On this page, we will be evaluating the Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-500, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Advanced DSLR and they are both produced by Olympus. There is a considerable difference among the resolutions of the E-420 (10MP) and E-500 (8MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor measurements (Four Thirds).
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
The E-420 was revealed 2 years later than the E-500 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-420 being a Compact SLR camera and the Olympus E-500 being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before diving straight to a complete comparison, here is a short summation of how the E-420 scores vs the E-500 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-500 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus E-420 & Olympus E-500. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus E-420 Gallery & Olympus E-500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-420 over the Olympus E-500
E-420 | E-500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | June 2008 | ![]() | October 2005 | Fresher by 33 months |
Screen dimensions | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 215k | Crisper screen (+15k dot) |
Reasons to pick Olympus E-500 over the Olympus E-420
E-500 | E-420 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-420 and Olympus E-500
E-420 | E-500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither includes Touch screen |
Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-500 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to carry your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-420 features exterior dimensions of 130mm x 91mm x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") along with a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs) and the Olympus E-500 has sizing of 130mm x 95mm x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") and a weight of 479 grams (1.06 lbs).
Compare the Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-500 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the E-420 against the E-500.
![Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-500 size comparison Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-500 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-E-420-vs-Olympus-E-500-size-comparison.jpg)
Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the E-420 and E-500 is 77 and 70 respectively.
![Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-500 top view buttons comparison Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-500 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-E-420-vs-Olympus-E-500-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-500 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is very difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing just by going through specifications. The photograph below might offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-420 and E-500.
To sum up, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You can expect the Olympus E-420 to produce greater detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots more aggressively. The newer E-420 provides a benefit with regard to sensor tech.
![Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-500 sensor size comparison Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-500 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Olympus-E-420-vs-Olympus-E-500-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-500 Screen and ViewFinder
![Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-E-420-vs-Olympus-E-500-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-500 Specifications
Olympus E-420 | Olympus E-500 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Olympus | Olympus |
Model | Olympus E-420 | Olympus E-500 |
Also referred to as | - | EVOLT E-500 |
Type | Entry-Level DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Released | 2008-06-23 | 2005-10-21 |
Physical type | Compact SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | TruePic III | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | Four Thirds |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10MP | 8MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 4:3 |
Maximum resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 3264 x 2448 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 400 |
Maximum boosted ISO | - | 1600 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | 3 | 3 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Total lenses | 45 | 45 |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 2.7" | 2.5" |
Screen resolution | 230 thousand dots | 215 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | 95% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.46x | 0.45x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 60s | 60s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 4.0 frames/s | 3.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash modes | Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye | Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/180s | 1/180s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Maximum video resolution | None | None |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 426 gr (0.94 lbs) | 479 gr (1.06 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 130 x 91 x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") | 130 x 95 x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 56 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.5 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.4 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 527 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 500 photographs | - |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Launch price | $999 | $600 |